The sculptor who created a bronze bust of John Hume has spoken of her pride at being commissioned for the piece by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
A bronze bust of the Derry peacemaker and replicas are currently being unveiled in the Gardens of the Residence of The Irish Ambassador, Washington DC, Embassy of Ireland, London, The European Parliament, Brussels and Iveagh House, Dublin.
Elizabeth O'Kane, who is originally from Ballymena, spoke to MyDerry about the immense pride she felt in creating the piece of art, with the help from the Hume family.
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She said: "It is a very proud moment and a real honour to be selected for that commission.
"John Hume was a particularly special one as I grew up in Northern Ireland in the troubles and watched him over the years being very determined for the peace process.
"He was doggedly determined and worked incredibly hard with the European and US institutions. I think with John Hume’s skills as a peacemaker in reaching out to those other institutions and other countries and bodies, he achieved something many would have thought impossible.
"It was amazingly special to be the artist to commemorate him and go down in history. For people to look at my work and remember him, it is very special."
Elizabeth worked closely alongside the Hume family in creating the sculpture and ensured that they were happy with the likeness before finalising the piece.
She said: "John Hume Junior lives in Dublin not far from my studio and he was very generous with his time coming in to see the clay, taking photos to send to Pat Hume, who was still alive at the time, and his siblings around the world.
"All of the family came back with feedback and once they were happy with the likeness we could get the sculpture moulded for bronze casting and begin to create the replicas.
"I was very grateful to them for making themselves available to me, particularly as it was during COVID times. It was very important in involving the family in getting the likeness right."
Elizabeth spoke of the importance of continuing John Hume's legacy.
She said: "I think it is extremely important to remember John Hume. John and Pat's Foundation were instrumental in working with me and giving feedback, they sent me fantastic photographs that were not on the internet. I’m grateful to them as well and they do amazing work in carrying on John’s ideas for peace across the world.
"John was so well recognised on both sides of the Atlantic, he was incredibly well regarded and had those special skills to reach out to colleagues in the US and Europe to take part in the peace negotiations.
"We need more people like him today."
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